The morning air was crisp, still carrying the hush of dawn over the castle grounds. It had rained heavily through most of the night. The castle remained quiet, save for a few maids beginning their daily chores. One of them hurried toward the laundry house, her sleeves rolled up, a yawn threatening to escape her lips.
She was halfway across the backyard when something caught her eye.
A basket sat at the foot of the laundry house steps, slightly askew as though hastily placed. That in itself wasn't unusual, but the sight of clothes spilling over the top made her pause. The garments were fine, clearly not the kind worn by servants.
She frowned and walked over to the basket.
Crouching down, she lifted a blue dress from the pile, inspecting its embroidery. Her brows furrowed. This was no servant's garment. It was noble clothing. A faint floral scent still clung to the fabric, lavender and something else, perhaps jasmine. She couldn't quite tell.
